In Broken Harbour, a ghost estate outside Dublin - half-built, half-inhabited, half-abandoned - two children and their father are dead. The mother is on her way to intensive care. Scorcher Kennedy is given the case because he is the Murder squad’s star detective. At first he and his rookie partner, Richie, think this is a simple one: Pat Spain was a casualty of the recession, so he killed his children, tried to kill his wife Jenny, and finished off with himself. But there are too many inexplicable details and the evidence is pointing in two directions at once.

Scorcher’s personal life is tugging for his attention. Seeing the case on the news has sent his sister Dina off the rails again, and she’s resurrecting something that Scorcher thought he had tightly under control: what happened to their family, one summer at Broken Harbour, back when they were children. The neat compartments of his life are breaking down, and the sudden tangle of work and family is putting both at risk . . .

‘Broken Harbor provides a fascinating and suspenseful plot, believable characters and writing that is precise, knowing and lyrical. Underlying it all is a formidable intelligence, one that moves relentlessly from a family tragedy to the ugly side of police work to the sorrows of a generation.’ Patrick Anderson, Washington Post

‘French’s eloquently slow-burning fourth Dublin murder squad novel shows her at the top of her game... As usual, French excels at drawing out complex character dynamics.’ Publishers Weekly (starred review)

‘A mystery that is perfectly in tune with the times . . . [French] continues to distinguish herself with this fourth novel, marked by psychological acuteness and thematic depth. There are complications, deliberations and a riveting resolution.’ Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

‘An emotionally jolting story of love, obsession and madness is played out to incredible effect... French has garnered a huge legion of fans and they will be thrilled with this, her fourth and possibly best novel.’ Daily Mail